Morales activated; Aceves optioned

BOSTON -- Franklin Morales was activated as expected on Tuesday, with Alfredo Aceves optioned down to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Comment

By
Tim Britton
Posted May. 28, 2013 @ 5:24 pm

BOSTON -- Franklin Morales was activated as expected on Tuesday, with Alfredo Aceves optioned down to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Morales is available out of the bullpen.

"It would have been his normal day to start on rehab today," manager John Farrell said. "And given the last three starts that Ryan [Dempster] has gone through, we felt like we needed a multi-inning reliever out there in the pen. That's where Franklin comes in to us."

Morales was working as a starter during his rehab assignment, but he said he's comfortable with working out of the bullpen again.

"I've done this before," said Morales. "I want to be ready every day."

Morales hasn't pitched in the majors since last August.

"There was a little frustration," Morales said. "Right now I'm healthy, and I want to be ready for any situation the manager needs me. I'm happy."

Morales was successful as both a reliever and starter for the Red Sox in 2012. The left-hander was 3-3 with a 4.14 ERA in nine starts, and he posted a 3.23 ERA and 29-to-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 30 2/3 innings out of the bullpen.

Aceves was sent down despite pitching well in his emergency start on Monday. The right-hander allowed a run in six innings while picking up the win.

"The fact remains, what we challenged him with when he went down after the Oakland start, he's been doing that more regularly -- commanding the baseball, working ahead in the count," Farrell said. "He pitched to his defense last night. He's a major-league pitcher who has had a lot of success in his career. This is disappointing for him. We recognize that. But that's where he's at right now."

Farrell was confident Aceves would handle the optioning well.

"To sit and maybe let the disappointment linger isn't going to do anyone any good," said Farrell. "He's healthy, throwing the ball well and he'll find his way back to the major leagues."